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US forces seize Venezuelan president in overnight raid
President Donald Trump revealed on Saturday that American troops detained Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife during a covert operation in Caracas. The move marks a dramatic escalation in US foreign policy, with Trump declaring that Washington will now oversee Venezuela's governance.
Trump outlines plan to rebuild Venezuela under US control
Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump announced a team led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would assume control of Venezuela. The administration aims to stabilize the country before orchestrating a "safe, proper, and judicious transition" to new leadership.
"We are going to run the country until we can ensure a responsible handover," Trump stated, though he offered no concrete details on how long the US would remain in charge or what the transition would entail.
Shift in foreign policy draws criticism and support
The president, who campaigned against "forever wars" and criticized past regime-change efforts, now faces accusations of hypocrisy. His decision to intervene in Venezuela contrasts sharply with his "America First" platform, which promised to avoid nation-building abroad.
Republican lawmakers largely backed the move. House Speaker Mike Johnson called the operation against Maduro's "criminal regime" both "decisive and justified." However, some former allies broke ranks. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a once-loyal Trump supporter, condemned the action on X, writing, "This is what many in Maga thought they voted to end."
"Americans' disgust with our own government's never-ending military aggression and support of foreign wars is justified because we are forced to pay for it."
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA)
Legal justifications and regional security claims
Trump cited Maduro's indictment on weapons and cocaine trafficking charges as the legal basis for the raid. However, he also framed the operation as a means to reclaim confiscated US oil assets and curb fentanyl production, raising questions about the primary motive.
Invoking the 19th-century Monroe Doctrine, Trump rebranded it the "Donroe Doctrine," asserting that "American dominance in the Western Hemisphere will never be questioned again." He argued the intervention aligns with US national security interests, ensuring regional stability and a reliable oil supply.
Global reactions and diplomatic fallout
The operation has sparked international condemnation. China's foreign ministry issued a statement denouncing the raid as a "reckless attack on a sovereign nation." Republican Congressman Don Bacon warned the move could embolden Russia and China to justify their own military actions, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine or a potential Chinese assault on Taiwan.
Democratic lawmakers were more direct in their criticism. Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, stated, "The United States should not be running other countries for any reason." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned Trump's failure to consult Congress, calling it a violation of democratic norms.
"Donald Trump has the constitutional responsibility to follow the law and protect democratic norms in the United States. That is what putting America First requires."
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)
Uncertain path forward for Venezuela
Trump remained optimistic about the mission's success, boasting of his administration's "perfect track record of winning." He pledged to enlist American energy companies to rebuild Venezuela's crumbling infrastructure, though he did not rule out deploying additional US troops to support the effort.
The president's vow to "make Venezuela great again"-a play on his "Make America Great Again" slogan-has left analysts questioning the feasibility of stabilizing a nation plagued by decades of dictatorship and economic collapse. With no clear exit strategy, the US now faces the challenge of governing a wary region while navigating global backlash.
